‘Gossip Girl’s 100th Episode: Will Blair Become the Princess Bride?

They grow up so fast. In September, 2007 the world was introduced to a group of overprivileged teenagers whose lives were chronicled by a blogger known as “Gossip Girl.” The show survived criticism from conservative groups, the writer’s strike, low ratings, and the difficult transition from teen to young adult series. Tonight, the show celebrates its 100th episode with Blair’s (Leighton Meester) royal wedding to Belgian prince Louis (Hugo Becker). Though celebrates may not be the right word. Everyone from Blair’s ex, Chuck (Ed Westwick), to Georgina (Michelle Trachtenberg), wants to stop the nuptials. Will Blair actually get married? What will the bride be wearing? What does it feel like to join the 100 episode club? The show’s executive producers, Stephanie Savage and Josh Safran, revealed the answers to two out of three of those burning questions, and shared a few other reasons why this is the episode is a must-see for anyone who was ever a fan of the show.

There Is A Spectacular Opening Musical Number

“Gossip Girl” has paid homage to many classic movies via Blair’s dream sequences. For the 100th, GG explores Serena’s (Blake Lively) subconscious when she dreams she is Marilyn Monroe singing Diamonds Are A Girls Best Friend. The cast rose to the occasion, quickly mastering the complicated choreography. Safran revealed, “The first half of that choreography is the actual choreography from ‘Gentlemen Prefer Blondes.’ The choreographer, Joey Pizzo, was great. He got up there, took [Lively] through it once, and she just nailed it. Maybe that would be with every episode, but it was the 100th episode, and she was so excited… Ed [Westwick] had a bunch of family and friends in town and we had dancers rehearsing before he had even seen it. When he watched it I thought he was going to be like, ‘I can’t do this at all,’ but he was like, ‘This is amazing!’ He couldn’t wait.”

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Blair Is A Bridal Fashionista

Blair has always been one of television’s most fashionable characters. So her wedding dress had to be spectacular. “It’s not an exaggeration to say that the crew has been planning Blair’s wedding since the pilot.. and that Blair has probably been planning her wedding since she was a teeny girl,” said Savage. In fact, Blair’s dress has been a plot point in multiple episodes this season, culminating in an appearance by designer Vera Wang. “We were so excited that we were able to shoot at her store and she played herself.That felt like a great fit because she is such an iconic New York character and she’s someone we’ve actually been trying to get on the show since season one.” Wang also outfitted the bridesmaids, as well as maid of honor Serena. Savage described Serena’s long gown, which Wang designed as a bridal dress, as “One of the most beautiful looks that Serena’s ever had on the show.”

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All Three of Blair’s Men Get A Chance to Shine

There are three guys in Blair’s life: her fiance Louis, the love of her life Chuck, and her enemy turned friend Dan (Penn Badgley). Each has a huge moment with Blair in the 100th episode. Chuck finds the thought of losing Blair forever unbearable, and ends up doing something drastic. Safran teases, “Chuck and Blair are never over.” As for Dan, who clearly views Blair as more than a friend, “That story’s going to go in an interesting direction.” Louis will also prove himself to be more than a bland Prince Charming.

So Do Her Two Dads

One of the episode’s most emotional moments involves both Blair’s father, Harold (John Shea) and stepfather Cyrus (Wallace Shawn) preparing to walk her down the aisle together. Safran believes, ” Them putting the veil on her is one of my favorite images we’ve ever had. She looked so beautiful and so happy.” Cyrus calls her “princess bride,” a shout out to his famous role in “The Princess Bride.” “We’ve been wanting to do that forever,” said Safran. “We made him say ‘inconceivable’ last year.”

Turning 100 Feels Really Good

Savage is proud and grateful that the show has lasted for so long, especially since two other shows she produced just missed the 100 episode benchmark. “It’s very hard to get to 100 episodes. “The O.C.” got to 93 episode. “‘Chuck’” got to a heartbreaking 91 episodes. 100 episodes in our industry is considered the standard of success, of achievement. So to be able to get there, especially on a serial drama, especially on a show about young people, especially in a cycle where there was a writers strike, it’s a big deal.”